USA vs. Mexico, Olympic Qualifying: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread and More

Welcome to your live thread for the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Tournament semifinal match-up between the United States Women's National Team and Mexico at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. The winner of tonight’s match not only moves on to the final on Sunday against the Canada-Costa Rica winner, but also receives a berth to the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

The USWNT got to this point with a perfect Group A sweep of Haiti, Panama, and Costa Rica, beating the three teams by a combined 18-0. Mexico finished second in Group B, beating Jamaica 1-0 and Saint Kitts & Nevis 6-0 before falling to Canada by a 2-0 score line.

The United States is 36-1-1 in the all-time series against Mexico. The last time the team’s met was May 26 of last year at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, in the Yanks’ last tune-up game prior to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The USWNT won that game 3-0 on goals by Tobin Heath, Mallory Pugh, and Christen Press.

Mexico’s only win in the series came in 2011 Women’s World Cup qualifying — a 2-1 final that forced the United States to win the Concacaf third-place match and then a two-leg playoff against Italy to qualify for the World Cup in Germany.

El Tri Femenil are the No. 26 team in the current FIFA world rankings and should be able to provide stiffer competition than the teams the U.S. has played thus far in the tournament. Mexico threatened Canada’s goal but couldn’t break through in the final group game. Forward Renae Cuéllar has three goals in the tournament, with four other players also getting on the score sheet in Olympic qualifying.

The USWNT is 22-0-3 since losing at France on Jan. 19 of last year. The U.S. has breezed through Concacaf Olympic qualifying historically, posting a record of 21-0-1 while outscoring opponents 116-3. The lone draw was a 1-1 final against Canada in the 2008 title game and the USWNT went on to win the ensuing penalty shootout.

The USWNT squad features three members of the Orlando Pride — goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and defenders Ali Krieger and Emily Sonnett. Krieger and Sonnett played all 90 minutes on Monday but they may be in the lineup tonight with an eye on keeping the starters fresh for a potential final clash with Canada on Sunday. Alex Morgan is pretty far along in her pregnancy and is not expected to be available until at least the pre-Olympic camp.

Rosters

USWNT (Caps/Goals)

Goalkeepers (3): 12-Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC; 3/0), 18-Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 25/0), 1-Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 59/0).

Defenders (6): 7-Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage; 56/0), 19-Crystal Dunn (North Carolina Courage; 99/24), 11-Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride; 106/1), 5-Kelley O’Hara (Utah Royals FC; 127/2), 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC; 173/0), 2-Emily Sonnett (Orlando Pride; 43/0).

Midfielders (5): 8-Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 97/19), 9-Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 81/17), 16-Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit; 40/11), 3-Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage; 62/16), 6-Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 16/0).

Forwards (6): 17-Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 164/33), 10-Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 290/122), 14-Jessica McDonald (North Carolina Courage; 16/4), 20-Christen Press (Utah Royals FC; 133/55), 15-Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC; 163/50), 13-Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage; 23/8).

Mexico

Goalkeepers (3): 1 – Cecelia Santiago (PSV Eindhoven / NED), 12 – Emily Alvarado (TCU / USA), 20 – Itzel González (Tijuana).

Defenders (6): 2 – Kenti Robles (Atlético Madrid), 3 Janelly Farías (Guadalajara), 4 – Jocelyn Orejel (Tijuana), 5 – Jimena López (Texas A&M Aggies / USA), 13 – Bianca Sierra (UANL), 15 – Mariana Cadena (Monterrey).

Midfielders (7): 6 – Rebeca Bernal (Monterrey), 10 – Stephany Mayor (UANL), 11 – Lizbeth Ovalle (UANL), 16 – Karla Nieto (Pachuca), 17 – Diana Evangelista (Monterrey), 18 – Liliana Mercado (UANL), 19 – Maria Sánchez (Guadalajara).

Forwards (4): 7 – Daniela Espinosa (América), 8 – Kiana Palacios (Real Sociedad / SPA), 9 – Renae Cuéllar (Tijuana), 14 – Adriana Iturbide (Atlas).

How to Watch

Match Time: 10 p.m. (ET).

Venue: Dignity Heath Sports Park — Carson, CA.

TV: FS1.

Streaming: FOX Sports GO.

Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @StarsStripesFC, @USWNT, and @TheManeLand.